While many hunters remain in anticipation, waiting for their state’s early archery season to open, others are already capitalizing on the opportunities that September bowhunting provides. Typically, when “September” and “bowhunting” are mentioned in the same breath, it’s in the context of preparation—or in reference to a specific state like Kentucky. However, for those aware of early opportunities, September offers a valuable head start before the bulk of hunters take to the woods in October. The Rut Meter at this stage in September is at about 15%, as bucks are just shedding velvet and relocating to their core areas.
Across the country, certain states offer earlier archery seasons or special urban hunts designed to manage deer populations in city zones. States like Arkansas, for example, have established urban hunts that begin as early as a month prior to the traditional opening day. For bowhunters, this not only extends the season but also presents a rare chance to tag a buck still in velvet.
September Bowhunting: Early Food Advantage
In the early bowhunting season, whitetail deer are heavily focused on high-protein food sources that support their summer growth and antler development. Soybeans, clover, alfalfa, and lush native browse are particularly attractive during this time. These food sources are typically located near thick bedding areas, allowing bucks to feed with minimal movement and risk. Because deer are still in predictable summer patterns, bowhunters can capitalize by targeting these feeding areas during the last hour of daylight, when mature bucks often appear.
Key September Strategies and Tactics
Early season success hinges on understanding and capitalizing on a buck’s summer habits. At this time of year, everything revolves around a simple formula: food, cover, and security. A buck’s core range is tight, focused on easily accessible resources with minimal pressure.
Primary Food Sources:
Deer in September are often drawn to agricultural fields or high-protein food plots filled with soybeans, clover, or alfalfa. Bucks routinely emerge from thick bedding cover, stage briefly in transition zones, then move into these food sources right around dusk. This consistent movement makes patterning a buck much more manageable—especially with the help of trail cameras or glassing with binoculars in the weeks leading up to the season.
Preparing Your Archery Skills for Early Season Hunting
Practice before the early season is critical, and using high-quality targets that mimic real hunting scenarios can make a huge difference. Delta McKenzie Targets offers a range of 3D and layered foam targets that replicate deer anatomy and provide realistic arrow feedback. These targets allow hunters to practice shot placement on vital zones, helping to build confidence for when bucks are actively feeding in September.
BIGSHOT Targets, available through Delta McKenzie, also deliver innovative designs such as their Block and Bag targets that are durable and weather-resistant. Hunters can set them up in different angles and distances, simulating shots they’re likely to encounter in food plots, transition corridors, or edge cover. By adjusting target placement to match natural hunting conditions, archers can refine accuracy and judgment under pressure, ensuring they’re ready when early-season opportunities arise.
Locating Early Season Opportunities
Finding out whether your state offers an early archery season or hosts youth hunts is as simple as reviewing the official state regulations or visiting your state’s wildlife agency website. These resources will clearly outline dates, zones, and special hunt opportunities.
Youth hunts and early state openers—like Kentucky’s—offer a rare overlap: bucks in velvet and bucks on a summer pattern. While the rut often gets the spotlight, early September is when deer are the most patternable—and, arguably, the most vulnerable to a well-prepared bowhunter. Practicing with Delta McKenzie and BIGSHOT Targets beforehand ensures you’re not just spotting opportunities, but also fully prepared to capitalize on them with accurate, ethical shots.
